Knee replacement. How many here have gone through it?

[PromoTheRobot]

My right knee was done Monday. The pain block wore off last night and it was brutal. But those who know me knew I walked like Frankenstein with two bad knees. I had to get this done.

 

I'm curious if anyone else here had gone through this ordeal. How was it for you? How long before it felt normal?  Have any of you had a Conformis knee put in?

 

Conformis does a CT scan of your knee and 3D prints new ends to your bones. No ligaments are cut. It's supposed to feel more like your natural knee with less rehabilitation.

[row_33]

a family member had both replaced a few years ago, she was 74 at the time

 

seems good now, was on morphine for immediate recovery and then put back on morphine to start rehab sessions.

 

[PromoTheRobot]

3 minutes ago, row_33 said:

a family member had both replaced a few years ago, she was 74 at the time

 

seems good now, was on morphine for immediate recovery and then put back on morphine to start rehab sessions.

 

 

Both knees at once or a few weeks apart? Can't imagine doing both at the same time.

[row_33]

13 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Both knees at once or a few weeks apart? Can't imagine doing both at the same time.

 

she read that both could be done at once, and had a pipedream about it, i knew there was no point in arguing with her

 

her surgeon said "not a hope of doing this" at her age, which shut down that silliness

 

they were done a few months apart, she had to practically guarantee she'd get the other one because the first would not be a pleasant time

 

 

[Augie]

Both of my sisters have had a knee replaced. I don’t know any details beyond they are glad they got it done. Good luck with the rehab. 

[BuffaloBill]

Good luck with the rehab.  My father had one done and all he says now is that he waited too long to have it replaced.

[Gray Beard]

I know two people who had their knees replaced.  I don’t know the specifics on types of replacements. They didn’t complain too much about rehab and are glad they did it. 

[JohnC]

9 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

My right knee was done Monday. The pain block wore off last night and it was brutal. But those who know me knew I walked like Frankenstein with two bad knees. I had to get this done.

 

I'm curious if anyone else here had gone through this ordeal. How was it for you? How long before it felt normal? Have any of you had a Conformis knee put in?

 

Conformis does a CT scan of your knee and 3D prints new ends to your bones. No ligaments are cut. It's supposed to feel more like your natural knee with less rehabilitation.

Some one I know who goes to the same swim center I go to had the same knee replacement that included the CT scan and 3D prints. For addiction reasons he didn't take pain killers after the procedure. He went through a lot of pain before it settled down. He was diligent about his rehab. Compared to his condition before the surgery of constant pain he is doing well and back on the golf course.

 

The only complaint that he has is that his knee clicks when he bends it. He was considering a procedure to fix the problem, which may be unfixable, but decided to live with the clicking. In general, the operation allowed him to live a normal and pain free life.  

 

I wish you the best. 

 

 

[ricojes]

My parents have had season tickets since the early 80's.  They are in their 70's now and tailgate at the Red Carpet Inn, other side of Southwestern from the stadium, about a half mile walk (even more if you factor in getting to their seats).  The past few years they have had both knee's replaced.   Previous to that, they would have to stop several times on their walk to the stadium due to knee pain.  But now they have no issues and the only thing they say is they wish they didn't wait so long to get it done.  My parents are die hard Bills fans, they scheduled their surgeries in the off season so they would not miss any games! 

 

Good luck!

Edited June 6, 2019 by ricojes

[The Avenger]

I had my left knee done 7 years ago and my right knee done the following year (and I'm only 49).

 

I had some pain but it was managable - initially on Oxycontin (wonderful drug when used correctly), but tried to shed that drug as soon as I could in favor of non-narcotics.

 

I have found that the replacement and rehab experience varies incredibly from person to person - I think both of mine when very well but I have certainly heard of people who had considerable issues with pain. Best advice would be to work closely with your doctor to manage the pain. 

 

I didn't start to feel normal for a couple of weeks once I got off the Oxy, and then even a few weeks more until I was sleeping better.

 

Please PM me if I can help in any way - happy to let you know what I know.

Edited June 6, 2019 by The Avenger

[teef]

i've never had it done, but i've had a number of patients who have.  almost all are extremely happy that they had the procedure.  i've always heard the first two weeks post op are very uncomfortable, and that physical therapy can be a challenge, (but it needs to be taken seriously).  after that, mostly smooth sailing.  

 

the only thing i can advise on is to make sure to take antibiotic premed before dental appointments.  depending on the surgeon, they'll have you do it for 2 years, 7 years or forever.  we even have one orthopedic surgeon as a patient that refuses to take it, saying it does nothing.  that being said, i would absolutely take it.

[The Avenger]

42 minutes ago, teef said:

i've never had it done, but i've had a number of patients who have.  almost all are extremely happy that they had the procedure.  i've always heard the first two weeks post op are very uncomfortable, and that physical therapy can be a challenge, (but it needs to be taken seriously).  after that, mostly smooth sailing.  

 

the only thing i can advise on is to make sure to take antibiotic premed before dental appointments.  depending on the surgeon, they'll have you do it for 2 years, 7 years or forever.  we even have one orthopedic surgeon as a patient that refuses to take it, saying it does nothing.  that being said, i would absolutely take it.

 

In Jan 2015 the ADA revised it guidelines and said that prophylactic antibiotics are not recommended prior to dental procedures and only certain subpopulations should take them as a precaution. I stopped taking them - I think antibiotics are way overused.... 

[Steve O]

23 hours ago, row_33 said:

 

she read that both could be done at once, and had a pipedream about it, i knew there was no point in arguing with her

 

her surgeon said "not a hope of doing this" at her age, which shut down that silliness

 

they were done a few months apart, she had to practically guarantee she'd get the other one because the first would not be a pleasant time

 

 

?You said pretty much the exact same thing in my thread about having both knees done at the same time a few months ago.

[row_33]

1 hour ago, Steve O said:

?You said pretty much the exact same thing in my thread about having both knees done at the same time a few months ago.

 

truth can always be moved into the next repeat of a thread

 

for medical concerns it's okay to open up a new version of a done-to-death already topic and get the same old answers 

 

and i'll repeat the same story for the next 13 times people have a concern about a knee replacement, i hope that's okay with you?

 

 

Edited June 6, 2019 by row_33

[teef]

2 hours ago, The Avenger said:

 

In Jan 2015 the ADA revised it guidelines and said that prophylactic antibiotics are not recommended prior to dental procedures and only certain subpopulations should take them as a precaution. I stopped taking them - I think antibiotics are way overused.... 

correct!  it has been very dialed back in concerns to antibiotics.  at one point we were doing it for all heart murmurs, then just murmurs that show regurgitation, now none at all.  stents are no longer,  and i will do it for someone that's had sbe in the past, but that's rare.

 

then there's prosthetics.  i personally leave it up to the surgeon.  mostly as a courtesy, but a lot of cover your ass situation.  even recently we had a patient with a recent knee replacement, and she stated they never said anything to her about the premed.   we called the ortho office, and the nurse just chuckled and said of course she should.  i know what a nightmare an infected joint can bring, so we'd rather just give one large dose and call it a day.  it seems anytime someone get an infected joint or sbe, the first thing a hospital will do is ask the patient if they been to the dentist.  if the answer is yes, the second is did you premed.  it's still part of the narrative, so we still follow through with it.  time will change that more than likely.

Edited June 6, 2019 by teef

[row_33]

2 hours ago, The Avenger said:

 

In Jan 2015 the ADA revised it guidelines and said that prophylactic antibiotics are not recommended prior to dental procedures and only certain subpopulations should take them as a precaution. I stopped taking them - I think antibiotics are way overused.... 

 

i only use bacterial antibiotics when required, is that okay for your narrative?

 

 

[Steve O]

3 hours ago, row_33 said:

 

truth can always be moved into the next repeat of a thread

 

for medical concerns it's okay to open up a new version of a done-to-death already topic and get the same old answers 

 

and i'll repeat the same story for the next 13 times people have a concern about a knee replacement, i hope that's okay with you?

 

 

Of course it's okay. I'm sure I've repeated myself in more than one thread on more than one occasion. 

[row_33]

29 minutes ago, Steve O said:

Of course it's okay. I'm sure I've repeated myself in more than one thread on more than one occasion. 

 

we try our best, nice to be helpful on here on occasion 

 

 

[Tony P]

Had my left knee done 1 year ago. I was walking (with a walker) day one. Do not mess with your PT. Do it regularly and religiously. You will be very happy if you do.

 

Depending on the joint which was used, you may experience the "clicking" referred to earlier up-thread. I do. It can be annoying but becomes just background noise after awhile. 

 

I had a complication informally called "patella clunk" or sometimes "patella crunch".  Google it. This can happen in about 4% of patients, again depending on the  joint used.  It usually shows-up 3-6 months after surgery and can be (and in my case, was) eliminated by a scope procedure. 

 

I never took one pain killer afterwards. No drugs, My surgeon uses what I describe as a ball/pump which delivers painkiller directly to the wound via a small tube. IIRC, it lasted about a week before the pain killer was all used up. It's too late now for you to have but for anyone else reading this who may have to get at TKR, I'd HIGHLY recommend that you explore this option with your surgeon/anesthesiologist.  

 

I also had 2 weeks of in-home PT visits by a combo nurse/physical therapist. He checked the incision, removed the staples and the pain pump tube all during this time. He also helped with rehab and exercises during that time. 

 

Hope this helps and Good luck!!!

[PromoTheRobot]

6 days in, I'm doing well. Only pain is soreness in thigh. Need a walker but putting full weight on leg since Thursday. Range of motion just shy of 90 degrees. Doc said not to go beyond that right now.

Edited June 9, 2019 by PromoTheRobot

[Cripple Creek]

On 6/5/2019 at 11:09 AM, PromoTheRobot said:

My right knee was done Monday. The pain block wore off last night and it was brutal. But those who know me knew I walked like Frankenstein with two bad knees. I had to get this done.

 

I'm curious if anyone else here had gone through this ordeal. How was it for you? How long before it felt normal?  Have any of you had a Conformis knee put in?

 

Conformis does a CT scan of your knee and 3D prints new ends to your bones. No ligaments are cut. It's supposed to feel more like your natural knee with less rehabilitation.

Good luck!

 

i know it probably won’t help, but @Gugny had VRS recently. You might want to check on how that recovery went.

[PastaJoe]

My 87 year old mother had both knees replaced over a few years. First one went fine with no lingering pain. The doctor wanted to try a new procedure on the second, and after a year it still bothers her. But she’s 87.

 

i just got diagnosed with a torn meniscus,  but the doctor recommended I don’t have surgery if I can deal with the pain, because at my age it sometimes doesn’t improve.

Edited June 9, 2019 by PastaJoe

[BUFFALOKIE]

My mother went in for a knee replacement a couple of years ago, and ffive weeks later she left the hospital missing her whole damned leg from the thigh down. 

[Augie]

1 minute ago, BUFFALOKIE said:

My mother went in for a knee replacement a couple of years ago, and ffive weeks later she left the hospital missing her whole damned leg from the thigh down. 

That is horrific! I’m so sorry! I’m sure it’s also the very rare exception, but that doesn’t make it any better. 

[PromoTheRobot]

28 minutes ago, BUFFALOKIE said:

My mother went in for a knee replacement a couple of years ago, and ffive weeks later she left the hospital missing her whole damned leg from the thigh down. 

 

Was it due to infection? 

[Augie]

7 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Was it due to infection? 

Boy, they sure try to get you out of the hospital ASAP, and that not just the insurance company!

[PromoTheRobot]

15 minutes ago, Augie said:

Boy, they sure try to get you out of the hospital ASAP, and that not just the insurance company!

 

I was out in 24 hours.

[row_33]

1 hour ago, Augie said:

Boy, they sure try to get you out of the hospital ASAP, and that not just the insurance company!

 

If you don’t belong there get home as quickly as possible 

[Augie]

3 minutes ago, row_33 said:

 

If you don’t belong there get home as quickly as possible 

 

I’d trade “belong” for “absolutely NEED to be there”, but yes! 

[Whatnot78]

Mother-in-law had both knees done at the same time a year ago (70 yrs old)...robotic surgery.  As mentioned earlier in the thread, the 1st 2 weeks seem rough but my mother-in-law is religious with her PT and she's moving around without much issues.  Some stiffness once in a while but much better than before the surgery.

[Marv's Neighbor]

I had the R knee done in 2002.  The Doc didn't want to do it because I was "too young."  Now 17+ years later it's still hanging in there.  Is it totally pain free?  No, but it's always had some pain.  I would much rather keep what I have rather than go through it again.

 

Got a cortosone shot in the L today.  Starting to be painful on stairs, but walking is OK.  The previous shot was in January.

 

Had the surgery in Seattle and had to go to a class before the surgery.  They explained the whole thing, recovery, etc. etc.  The nurse said it was a "bloodless" surgery.  I asked her why my Doc wanted me to donate a unit of blood before the surgery?  She said, "well we call it bloodless because there is a very tight tourniqet placed at the top of your leg, so that makes the surgery bloodless.  But, after, when they remove it, 'you'll bleed like crazy!'"  She was right!

[BUFFALOKIE]

20 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Was it due to infection? 

Blood clots were the major problem. I am foggy on the series of events, but mom red-lined during two different surgeries. Before the third (maybe fourth) the surgeon approached me and Step Dad and said essentially "lose her leg, or lose her life". Ironically, the new knee went in the trash with the rest of her leg.

 

This was three years ago.

 

She was two months from retiring and otherwise the strongest, hardest working woman any of us ever met. Now she has more or less given up on using her prosthetic and spends all of her time on the couch in depression. Addiction to Oxy has not helped.

 

Even more ironic: Mom worked for the largest, most prestigious orthopedic clinic in our region. And the lead Dr. Did the surgery. 

 

Even more ironic than that: The chronic pain she had in her knee may not have been the joint, but the clots instead. They knew the scans/whatever did not justify a knee replacement. They ran every other kind of test they could think of, but never detected the blood clots that were a major problem, if not THE major problem.

 

Many, many folks recommended a lawsuit, but Mom does not want to sue.

 

Sorry if I used "ironic" incorrectly. Tragic is more like it.

Edited June 10, 2019 by BUFFALOKIE
Do any of you remember Uhls Bakery? That was my grandad. He ultimately died because if blood clots in his leg.

[Marv's Neighbor]

On 6/5/2019 at 11:09 AM, PromoTheRobot said:

My right knee was done Monday. The pain block wore off last night and it was brutal. But those who know me knew I walked like Frankenstein with two bad knees. I had to get this done.

 

I'm curious if anyone else here had gone through this ordeal. How was it for you? How long before it felt normal?  Have any of you had a Conformis knee put in?

 

Conformis does a CT scan of your knee and 3D prints new ends to your bones. No ligaments are cut. It's supposed to feel more like your natural knee with less rehabilitation.

So you used to walk like the real; Promo?

[PromoTheRobot]

8 hours ago, Marv's Neighbor said:

So you used to walk like the real; Promo?

 

Pretty much. 8 days after surgery I'm on crutches and able to move around the house. The only bad pain is if I try a leg lift from my knee. My thigh muscle just above the knee is still effed up.

[Marv's Neighbor]

11 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Pretty much. 8 days after surgery I'm on crutches and able to move around the house. The only bad pain is if I try a leg lift from my knee. My thigh muscle just above the knee is still effed up.

I have a "cheap" Schwinn recumbent bike.  It will help with your range of motion.  Cost a little over $300, 3 years ago.  Don't do anything without running it by your doc.

[PromoTheRobot]

8 minutes ago, Marv's Neighbor said:

I have a "cheap" Schwinn recumbent bike.  It will help with your range of motion.  Cost a little over $300, 3 years ago.  Don't do anything without running it by your doc.

 

Doc wants me to take it easy until next week when I see him again. I have a solid 90 degrees range. I can get around the house fine.